2013 Chevrolet Cruze Electrical Problems

I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH MY STUDENT FINANCIAL AID MONEY AS SOON AS I GOT 5 CAR A FEW BLOCKS AWAY AND THE CAR STARTED BOILING.THEN THE KEY IGNITION SYSTEM SAID USE POCKET TRANSMITTER THAT DIDN'T WORK .I PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY I HAVE A MECHANIC THAT'S WHY I PURCHASED THE CAR I WAS CONFIDANT JE COULD FIX IT NO MATTER WHAT THE CAR WAS3 VERY UNSAFE NO WARMING ABOUT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE THEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR IT STOPPED SUDDENLY AND I CHECKED THE FLUIDS PUT ANTIFREEZE AND OIL THE CAR ENGINE WAS SO HOT IT DAMAGED THE HEATER BYPASS HOSE.I REALLY NEEDED MY TRANSPORTATION I GO SCHOOL WAS A OUT TO GET A JOB I'M HOMELESS I WAS GOING TO A SHELTER FOR HELP BUT IF I GET A JOB I CAN AFFORD RENT.I AM GOING THROUGH IT. I AM DEPRESSED THE DEALER SAID HE DON'T KNOW WHY THE CAR KEEPS GETTING HOT THEN MY MECHANIC SAID THE WASN'T COMING ON IN TIME . THERE WERE No leaks but antifreeze disappeared.THEN WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE AND IN SECONDS THE CAR VINDICATES IT WAS OVER HEATING WHEN THE CARS FLUID WERE CHECKED I PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY THE LUGHTS AND RADIO WORKED BUT THE KEY IGNITION SYSTEM WAS DEAD AND SAID USE POCKET TRANSMITTER.THE DEALER SAID CAR IS SOLD AS IS.

NHTSA ID

11768211

Incident

Sep 25, 2026

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NHTSA ID

11746413

Incident

Jun 2, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 157,454. The contact later discovered that the title mileage was 189,000.

NHTSA ID

11680644

Incident

Aug 14, 2025

Mileage

189,000 mi

Vehicle randomly powers up and tries to start with the key in the ignition. Service theft deterrent message displayed at times while trying to start.

NHTSA ID

11623982

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

Car caught on fire under hood

NHTSA ID

11588307

Incident

May 10, 2024

Vehicle, when parked in garage with key in the ignition, will start all by itself. There have been several times in the past when I could hear the car attempt to start itself unsuccessfully in the garage as well. I run down to remove the key from the ignition when this happens. Idling engine in an enclosed garage can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning to home owner and occupants. Removing key from ignition when parked alleviates problem however this has happened several times now both in and out of garage. One owner vehicle since new, no other keys or objects on key ring/fob when this has happened. Vehicle has 75k miles. Problem began at around 70k miles. Car has been garaged and well cared-for it’s entire life.

NHTSA ID

11564586

Incident

Nov 1, 2023

I wanted to file this because I feel this a safety concern. My vehicle has always been kept up on maintenance. One day out no where it started acting up my 2013 Chevy Cruze Ls. I had a shop come back after they did a diagnostic that is was a faulty throttle body sensor and Pcv. I have issues with it shutting off and I’ll have to coast it to stop.What I’m not understanding how can there be recalls for my vechicle same problems same make/model but it’s not showing my vehicle matching up with my Vin #.I do have all the supporting documents and paperwork stating these issues.

NHTSA ID

11553913

Incident

Dec 9, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted to the side of the road and stopped the vehicle. The contact stated restarted the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the water pump failed again and was replaced; however, recently the water pump failed again. Additionally, the contact stated that there were electrical failures with the vehicle and the doors failed to lock as needed. The contact also stated that the steering wheel had locked up on several occasions. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11543816

Incident

Sep 11, 2021

Mileage

130,000 mi

I purchased 2013 chevy cruze in 2021. Starting with steering going out, all electrical power is affected. Radio comes on and off. Light comes on to check stab trak. Engine started while key in ignition but I wasn't in car. I can't afford to get a different car now a days. I'm disabled and need this car to get to my Dr appts But I'm afraid the vehicle will kill me, someone or worse. This vehicle needs a very very serious recall to fix this before someone is killed. That won't work!! FIX IT PLEASE I BEG YOU!!!

NHTSA ID

11514714

Incident

Mar 10, 2023

I have replaced the pvc valve cover 3times and the engine coolant housing 4 times with in 2years. The vehicle still leaks coolant even though all hoses connections and reservoir has been replaced. The ground cable has been replaced twice. The car warning dash comes on saying "service traction control" abs? The radio shuts off as well as all stereo lighting. When vehicle is at a stop it sometimes kicks, I thought I got tapped from the back that's how much of a jolt it does but no vehicle behind me. It's also sluggish when taking off.

NHTSA ID

11504477

Incident

Jan 30, 2023

First incident. 4 hours into 8 hour road trip. Flashing check engine light. Stabilitrack failure. Misfire codes. Took it to 4 different shops in Las Vegas Nevada. Non would complete repair. Took it to dealer in Utah hour and 45 minutes away, jerking missfires loss of power and power steering, dealer offered to do repair for 1800$ :/. Repair completed. Drove 150 miles, codes popped back up to it into mechanic, reported coolant leak and misfires, replaced ign coil. Replaced spark plugs, fixed leaks. 1400$ 6 weeks later turbo seized, misfires shaking and in ability to drive faster than 35mph loss of power steering. Excessive coolant leak, repair 1170$ 3 weeks later misfire codes, loss of stabilitrack, and tc, replaced spark plugs, car is currently all over the road, pulls left then pulls right, car vibrates terribly when 55mph+ suspension in rear is almost completely defective, I can lift the car 3” with my bare hands… over active abs. 35mph no snow or ice, new brake pads 120 miles ago. Radio will turn on and off whenever it wants while driving. Car consistory idles between 750-1300* rpm. Car clearly has no sway bars. Horrible ticking and rattling noises. Chevy please buy back my car. I am concerned about my safety on a daily. Reach out to “Carvana for invoices, and contact me for the personal repairs cost”

NHTSA ID

11501287

Incident

Jan 11, 2023

While driving the light came one engine overheating a/c shut off. There was a leak of coolant. I was stranded on the side of the road. We had it brought to a mechanic. They repaired the problem. Within 3 days it started again, the mechanic thought it was a faulty part so replaced it. After a week it happened again. We had it repaired again. Now 2 months later it is happening again. Once again stranded on the side of the road This has happened 4 times in 2 months and looks to be a very common issue with a simple search online. Multiple parts replaced and still stranded9

NHTSA ID

11496978

Incident

Sep 12, 2022

When i turn left or right stereo shuts off all my warning lights come on and steering gos out.and sometimes it shuts down.Almost got hit a cause it did this .This is a serious safety issue.Nobody can pin point the problem.then a code says open and close drivers window.If i get killed cause this car does this .and getting worse .chevy will be sued .can you get chevy to repair this possible faulty .problem.may a recall in electric system.

NHTSA ID

11485570

Incident

Sep 20, 2022

My car just shut off by itself while I was driving without any warning. My check engine light isn’t on and I just got my car out of the shop a few weeks ago, so I’m not sure why this happened. It is not safe and was definitely scary, being that I am pregnant and also had daughter with me.

NHTSA ID

11485045

Incident

Sep 17, 2022

Hi, I have had my car for a total of 8 years so far. It was bought used, in perfect condition in the beginning. Years passed and I have gained many problems down the road. First, the valve had to be replaced, spent a little under $1K, car worked well, until it started leaking coolant. Second, the car started to jerk back if you were passing at least 60mph. You go above 65-70, the car would jerk back to where it felt as if the whole bottom of the car fell off. You could press the gas pedal and it would barely go, it felt as if you were pushing the car with your own hands from the back, as if it lost power to move forward. Third, why does my coolant leak? Why is it that I have to put coolant in it at least every other week? The fan is EXTREMELY loud as well, as if it's overheating.

NHTSA ID

11472763

Incident

Feb 16, 2022

TSB # 16-NA-015 ENGINE STALL OR STUMBLE,IGNITION COIL WIRE FRETTING.I CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL.OTHER THAN G.M. NOT INTERESTED IN BEING RESPONSIBLE. MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND I HAD NO BRAKES AND NO STEERING.IT DONT TAKE A LOT OF THINKING AS TO WHAT CAN AND WILL HAPPEN WITHOUT BRAKES AND STEERING.MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ABOVE ISSUE WAS CONFIRMED.THE TSB WAS ISSUED 1-21-2016 AND ALL 2011-2014 MAY BE AFFECTED.PLEASE ADVISE ME WITH A FOLLOW UP ON THIS MAJOR PROBLEM. THIS IS MY SECOND REPORT ON THIS WITH NO RESPONSE.THIS WONT GO AWAY BY IGNORING THE ISSUE.LETS TAKE CARE OF THIS BEFORE ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ID

11437005

Incident

Jun 23, 2021

The whole head shot off while driving. Now the car is making a farting noise when I accelerate or if u sit idle for longer than 15 mins. No oil leak but I’m using an additional $200 in oil between oil changes

NHTSA ID

11428069

Incident

Jun 17, 2021

IN REGARDS TO TSB # 16-NA-015 ENGINE STALL OR STUMBLE. IGNITION COIL WIRE FRETTING.THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING AND DTC CODES. (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) . WHEN THE CARS STALL YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND NO POWER BRAKES AND COULD AND WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF IT HAS`NT HAPPENED AS OF YET .RESULTING IN INJURY AND OR DEATH. WITH MINIMAL RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A KNOWN AND ONGOING GLOBAL ISSUE THAT G.M. HAS KNOWN ABOUT SINCE 1-21-2016.ALL THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED PRIOR TO ANYBODY LOSING THERE LIFE.

NHTSA ID

11421944

Incident

Jun 15, 2021

WHEN KEY LEFT IN IGNITION, CAR OFF, IT TRIES TO START ITSELF REPEATEDLY. SAW THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS FOR YEARS BUT NO RECALL. IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO STOP SHORTS. WHY NO RECALL? CAR WAS PARKED, TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ID

11415312

Incident

May 5, 2021

Mileage

12,000 mi

AT RANDOM TIMES, MY STEREO WILL GO BLANK, NO SOUND, NO BLINKER SOUNDS, NOTHING. AT THE SAME TIME, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABITRAX WILL START FLASHING ON AND OFF. MY POWER STEERING WILL CUT OFF AS WELL. THIS WILL HAPPEN A FEW TIMES WHILE DRIVING THEN IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THEN RANDOMLY ON A DIFFERENT DAY, IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11406478

Incident

Apr 4, 2021

Mileage

55 mi

IT'S BEEN SITTING FOR AWHILE NOW. I'VE REPLACED THE ENGINE, THE BATTERY, THE ALTERNATOR, THE STARTER, THE THERMOSTAT AND THE TENSIONER BELT. ALL BRAND NEW AND IT'S STILL NOT STARTING UP . IT ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO START OVER BUT DOESN'T, EVEN WITHOUT THE KEYS IN IGNITION, IF I HOOK UP SPARK PLUGS IT ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO START EVEN WITHOUT THE KEYS IN IGNITION

NHTSA ID

11405268

Incident

Jun 24, 2020

MY 20 YR OLD DAUGHTER BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY 2020. SHE HAD IT 1 WEEK AND ENDED UP BROKEN DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE INTERSTATE, 3-1/2 HRS AWAY AT SCHOOL BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT. 2 WEEKS AND A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, I AM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T STAY AND WAIT FOR IT, AND WE WOULDN'T LET HER TAKE IT UNTIL WE KNEW IT WAS RIGHT. ANOTHER 4 WEEKS LATER, REPLACED THE MOTOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON WITHIN 2 WEEKS AND LEAVES ME STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY ONCE AGAIN! THIS TIME THE READING SHOWED ONLY AN O2 SENSOR SO MY HUSBAND CHANGED IT. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR A WHILE, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. NOT LONG AFTER THIS, THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND SO THERE ARE 13 ERROR CODES COMING UP! WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVROLET FAMILY, BUT NOT ANYMORE! THIS HAS RUINED US! AND WHEN/IF WE CAN GET IT RUNNING WELL ENOUGH TO GET RID OF IT, IT IS GONE! THE ERROR CODES ATTACHED ARE FROM JULY & SEPTEMBER 2020. I DIDN'T GET A PICTURE THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES THAT MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT. GENERAL MOTORS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. AND THAT'S JUST THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY TAKE THE TIME TO HUNT THE NHTSA DOWN AND FILE A COMPLAINT. NOT EVERYONE WILL DO SO! I PERSONALLY KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON IN MY HOMETOWN (OF LESS THAN 20,000) THAT OWNS A 2013 CRUZE THAT IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS! I KNOW WE ARE JUST LITTLE PEOPLE TO YOU. BUT THESE ARE OUR LIVES! IF WE COULD AFFORD TO DRIVE A HIGH-PRICED, TOP-OF-THE-LINE VEHICLE, TRUST ME, WE WOULD!

NHTSA ID

11398919

Incident

May 15, 2020

Mileage

125,000 mi

MY 20 YR OLD DAUGHTER BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY 2020. SHE HAD IT 1 WEEK AND ENDED UP BROKEN DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE INTERSTATE, 3-1/2 HRS AWAY AT SCHOOL BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT. 2 WEEKS AND A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, I AM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T STAY AND WAIT FOR IT, AND WE WOULDN'T LET HER TAKE IT UNTIL WE KNEW IT WAS RIGHT. ANOTHER 4 WEEKS LATER, REPLACED THE MOTOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON WITHIN 2 WEEKS AND LEAVES ME STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY ONCE AGAIN! THIS TIME THE READING SHOWED ONLY AN O2 SENSOR SO MY HUSBAND CHANGED IT. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR A WHILE, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. NOT LONG AFTER THIS, THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND SO THERE ARE 13 ERROR CODES COMING UP! WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVROLET FAMILY, BUT NOT ANYMORE! THIS HAS RUINED US! AND WHEN/IF WE CAN GET IT RUNNING WELL ENOUGH TO GET RID OF IT, IT IS GONE! THE ERROR CODES ATTACHED ARE FROM JULY & SEPTEMBER 2020. I DIDN'T GET A PICTURE THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES THAT MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT. GENERAL MOTORS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. AND THAT'S JUST THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY TAKE THE TIME TO HUNT THE NHTSA DOWN AND FILE A COMPLAINT. NOT EVERYONE WILL DO SO! I PERSONALLY KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON IN MY HOMETOWN (OF LESS THAN 20,000) THAT OWNS A 2013 CRUZE THAT IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS! I KNOW WE ARE JUST LITTLE PEOPLE TO YOU. BUT THESE ARE OUR LIVES! IF WE COULD AFFORD TO DRIVE A HIGH-PRICED, TOP-OF-THE-LINE VEHICLE, TRUST ME, WE WOULD!

NHTSA ID

11398916

Incident

May 15, 2020

Mileage

125,000 mi

CAR HAS LEAKED OIL AND COOLANT SINCE I GOT IT. CONSTANTLY OVER HEATS. LOSS OF POWER. ENGINE REVS AND JUMPS. CONSTANT REPLACEMENTS NOTHING WORKS.

NHTSA ID

11396986

Incident

Feb 14, 2019

Mileage

90,000 mi

THE CAR HAS SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND I TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND GET PROBLEMS FIXED, AND WITHIN A MONTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN, AND THERE ARE NEW PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. WHEN THOSE PROBLEMS GET FIXED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN WITHIN A MONTH. THIS IS A CYCLE THAT KEEPS GOING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES, USUALLY WHILE DRIVING. I BELIEVE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS CAUSING CASCADING FAILURES IN DIFFERENT SYSTEMS.

NHTSA ID

11385527

Incident

Jul 27, 2016

Mileage

40,000 mi